Stapler

office · simple machines · invention

Thin metal staple. A staple is a U-shaped piece of metal that gets pushed through stacked paper. When it comes out the other side, the prongs bend and lock the pages together.

Simple machine magic. Staplers work using a lever and spring system. When you push down the handle, it uses your force to drive the staple through multiple sheets at once.

Used everywhere. You'll find staplers in offices, schools, homes, and businesses. They're one of the most common tools for keeping important papers organized and together.

Different sizes. Staplers come in many styles, from small desktop ones to giant industrial machines. Some are manual (you push them), while others are electric and do the work for you.

Clever invention. The stapler was invented in the 1800s to solve a problem: people needed a fast, reliable way to bind papers without using pins or string.